ARGUMENT VIII

ON THE SEVEN LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES-GRAMMAR, RHETORIC, LOGIC, ARITHMETIC, GEOMETRY, MUSIC, ASTRONOMY; AND ON THE SIX ARTS AND SCIENCES,

AS BLENDED IN ASTRONOMY.

GRAMMAR, which comprehends orthography and etymology, teaches to decline nouns, conjugate verbs, and to express a variety of words and phrases, according to the idiom peculiar to the language we speak in. This being the basis of all the liberal sciences, it particularly concerns us, as Masons, to know its rules; for without this knowledge, we cannot be acquainted with the beauties of our own Lectures, nor can we speak with correctness or propriety.

Rhetoric is the art of speaking with judicious emphasis, which enables us to regulate and vary the tone of voice, in order to persuade, soften and affect the hearts of the hearers; it likewise leads the mind to the discovery of things that are new, or seem abstruse: this science is also enriched with figures, which add strength and beauty to elocution, and is, therefore, properly adapted to the subjects of our masonic mysteries.

Logic is that delightful science which guides our reason, and directs our Jerstanding to the knowledge of things in general, as well for our improvement as the instruction of others; and as the excellency of Masonry consists in the four principal operations of the mind, namely, conceiving, judging, reasoning, and disposing; this liberal science is highly essential to our fraternal Institution.

Arithmetic is the ground-work, and absolute foundation of universal knowledge; for, without the art of numbers, our natural abilities would in a manner be useless, or at least so vague, precarious, and defective, that scarce any material business could be conducted with certainty. Abraham first taught this useful science to the Egyptians, and it was afterwards much improved by Pythago

ras, who introduced such hieroglyphical figures and allegorical emblems, as have enabled us to keep the popular world perpetually ignorant of our mysteries, until they become Masons.

Geometry is the origin of the mathematics, and the foundation of architecture; comprehending the doctrine of whatever is susceptible of increasing or diminishing; hence, not only point, line, superfice, and solid, come within our consideration, but also time, space, velocity, and magnitude in general. By the further study of this fifth science, on which Masonry is founded, we are led to contemplate on the inimitable works of the primary supreme grand Geometrician of this vast terraqueous globe.

Music is divided into speculative and practical, and is the art of so disposing and conducting sounds, under certain measures of tone and time, as to produce agreeable harmony. This accomplished scientifical art may also be contrived and ordered by consonances or succession, or both by just intervals, so as to raise delightful sensations, and be the means of blending innocent mirth with our amusements, when the Right Worshipful Master orders us from labour to refreshment.

Of all the noble sciences ever cultivated by mankind, Astronomy is acknowledged to be the most sublime, the most interesting, and the most useful; for it not only treats of the system, magnitude, distance, conjunction, and regular course of the celestial bodies, but it unfolds the mystical causes by which these wonderful revolutions are performed. By the further study of the planetary orbs, our mental faculties also become exalted, far above the contemptible doctrine of those who doubt the wisdom, power, goodness, superintendence, or even the existence of a Supreme Being.

Astronomy stands confessedly the most exalted and sublime science that has ever been cultivated by man. By this divine science the Grand Architect of the Universe has enabled the mind of man, not only to view his wonderful omnipotency in a much stronger light than he could otherwise effect, but also to demonstrate, even to the sceptic, if any such exist, that nothing less than the Almighty power could establish such innumerable systems of the heavenly bodies, place them at their rela

tive distances, and finally keep the whole in universal order. To view the starry firmament without this science, mankind are impressed with a reverential awe of heavenly wisdom; but when we explore the science with its demonstrative truths, we are lost in astonishment at the boundless fields of ether, where those vast systems are placed. This noble science may justly be said to comprehend the whole of the other six: as by grammar we correctly express the substance of our observations; by rhetoric we forcibly impress the truths therein contained; by logic we proceed to demonstrate those truths: by arithmetic we make our calculations; by geometry we measure the magnitudes and distances of those vast orbs; and finally, we cannot but subscribe to the harmony of the whole, where there is not the least discord to be found in any of it parts. In short, it is by the help of this sublime science that mankind are enabled to plough the trackless ocean, to traverse the sandy waste of the immense desert; by commerce to civilize rude and savage nations, to unite men of all countries, sects, and opinions, and conciliate true friendship among persons who would otherwise have remained at an immense distance asunder.

ARGUMENT IX.

ON THE FIVE NOBLE ORDERS OF ARCHITECTURE: THE TUSCAN, THE DORIC, THE IONIC, THE CORINTHIAN, AND THE COMPOSITE; AND THE FIVE POINTS OF MASONIC FELLOWSHIP JUSTLY ILLUSTRATED.

THE Tuscan is the most simple and solid of the five orders in architecture; it was invented in Tuscany, from whence it derives its name; its column is seven diameters high; its capital, base, and entablature, have but few mouldings or ornaments; yet there is a peculiar beauty in its simplicity, which adds to its value, and makes it fit to be used in structures where the more rich and delicate orders would be deemed improper.

The Doric is the most agreeable to nature, and most ancient; it was invented by the Dorians, a people of Greece; its column is eight diameters high; it has no ornaments either on base or capital, except the mouldings; its frieze is distinguished by triglyphs and metopes, and the triglyphs compose the ornaments of the frieze; the composition of its pillar is both grand and noble, and is, therefore, principally used in warlike structures, where strength, and a noble, but rough, simplicity is required.

The Ionic bears a kind of mean proportion between the more solid and delicate orders. The first idea of its invention was given by the Ionians, a people of Greece; its column is nine diameters high; its capital is adorned with volutes, and its cornice has dentils or simple modillons; and history informs us that the famous Temple of Diana, at Ephesus, was of this order.

The Corinthian is the richest of the five orders in architecture; it is deemed a master-piece of art, and was invented at Corinth by Callimachus; its column is ten diameters high; its capital is adorned with two rows of leaves, and eight volutes, which sustain the abacus: this order is principally used in stately and superb structures.

The Composite, or compound Roman order, is derived from the other four orders, and to the Romans we are

indebted for its invention; its column is ten diameters high, and is quartered round as the Tuscan and Doric; its capital has the volutes of the Ionic, the two rows of leaves of the Corinthian; and its cornice has dentils or simple modillons; this order is principally used in structures where strength, elegance, and beauty are displayed.

The Mosaic pavement, being variegated and chequered, alludes to that diversity of objects which decorate and adorn the creation; likewise to that wonderful variety of benefits which the great Creator has so bountifully bestowed for use and sustenance, even to the minutest of his creatures.

The Blazing Star-the glory in the centre-reminds us of that awful period when the Almighty delivered the two tables of stone, containing the Ten Commandments, to his faithful servant Moses, on Mount Sinai, when the rays of his divine majesty shone so bright that none could behold it without fear and trembling; it also reminds us of the omnipresence of the Almighty overshadowing us with his divine love, and dispensing his blessings among us; and by its being placed in the centre, it ought, also, further to remind us, that wherever or however assembled, God is in the midst of us, seeing our actions and observing the secret intents and movements of our hearts; while the indented tesselated border, or skirt-work, alludes to that kind care of Providence, which so happily surrounds and keeps us within its protection, whilst we justly and uprightly govern our lives and actions by the four cardinal virtues, viz. :-Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice, which are represented by four tassels.

The five points of fellowship are thus illustrated: When the necessities of a Brother call for my aid and support, I will be ever ready to lend him such assistance, to save him from sinking, as may not be detrimental_to myself or connections, if I find him worthy thereof. Indolence shall not cause my footsteps to halt, nor shall wrath turn them aside; but, forgetting every selfish consideration, I will be ever swift of foot to save, help, and execute benevolence to a fellow-creature in distress, but more particularly to a brother Mason.

When I offer up my ejaculations to Almighty God, I will remember a Brother's welfare as my own; for, as